Get all the latest Nationals news from MLB.com's Bill Ladson.

Flores ready to play; Hernandez baffled by injury

Catcher Jesus Flores, on the disabled list because of a right shoulder contusion, took batting practice and was able to throw the baseball without any problems on Friday.

The plan was to let Flores rehab the shoulder at the team’s complex in Viera Fla., but it looks like he will have a rehab assignment with one of the Minor League team starting Monday.

“I’m happy that I started doing everything [as far as baseball activities]. Right now, we are all excited to start playing,” Flores said.

Second baseman Anderson Hernandez still doesn’t know how he dislocated his right pinky on Thursday against the Pirates. In the fourth inning, Hernandez grounded out to third baseman Andy LaRoche for the final out. As he was taking his batting glove off, Hernandez noticed that the finger was bent backward. He left the game and was replaced by Ronnie Belliard.

Hernandez said on Friday the pinky is sore, but could play if needed.

“It was scary. It never happened to me before. I just got scared. I thought it was broken,” Hernandez said.

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